Wireless network protocol systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing wireless network communications between a plurality of remote devices and a site controller are provided. Each network and the site controller communicates using a communications protocol adapted to allow remote devices and the site controller to independently control the communication path for transmissions sent by each device. In some embodiments, remote devices can collect and store information about other remote devices and available communication paths for optimum data transmission. Also, in some embodiments, remote devices can quickly join a preexisting network by communicating with a site controller and/or other remote devices. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/257,641 filed on 6 Sep. 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/814,632 filed on 24 Jul. 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,126, which is United States National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/002342 filed on 25 Jan. 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/646,689 filed on 25 Jan. 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to communication networks, and more specifically, to a protocol for wireless communications, wireless communication systems, and wireless communication methods.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, wireless communications systems have become increasingly popular. Today, wireless systems are used for many applications, from wireless device monitoring to wireless internet access, and in both home and business environments.

In many homes built prior to the Internet revolution, electronic wiring is generally not suitable for high-speed Internet connectivity requirements. Consequently, new solutions have been developed allowing users to establish a wireless network inside a home or place of business so that one or more devices like computers, PDAs and other electronic devices may wirelessly communicate with a centrally positioned device that is coupled to the Internet via a DSL, cable modem, or other high-speed connection.

While the initial bandwidth of devices implementing such wireless technologies was fairly small, subsequent generation devices have substantially increased wireless throughput. Indeed, users can wirelessly connect to the Internet and still experience the same benefits as if wired via a broadband connection.

Yet even with the advent of wireless networks for home and business applications, the wireless Internet connection is still limited by the range of wireless connection between the user's device, such as a laptop or PDA, and the base station or access point. Even wireless applications according to IEEE standard 802.11 only provide for a few hundred feet of wireless connectivity. Thus, even though an Internet user may be disconnected by wires from the Internet, the range of motion still corresponds to the communicable range of the wireless modem access point.

Moreover, while homes and businesses may establish various Internet access points, or hotspots, the hotspots essentially create a hodge-podge of Internet access locations confining a user's range of movement. As a non-limiting example, a user may go to a retail coffee house and wirelessly connect to the Internet through an access point provided by the coffee house retailer. Once the user leaves the coffee house and travels beyond the communicable range of the access point, however, the user no longer has Internet access for the wireless device.

This limitation arises in part because last leg access has historically only been available by wired connections. As technology continues to progress and new applications for such technology are developed, however, users will have greater requirements for wireless connectivity to the Internet beyond the prescribed range as discussed above.

As such options expand, there is an increasing need for various wireless systems to effectively communicate with one another. Additionally, the expansion of wireless networking creates an opportunity for a variety of devices to take advantage of wireless communications that previously could not communicate with other devices.

To take advantage of such opportunities, a reliable communications protocol is needed in the art. Further, there is a need in the art for systems and methods for wirelessly communicating data between wireless devices utilizing reliable communications. It is to the provision of such wireless methods, systems, and protocols that the embodiments of present invention are primarily directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present invention provide wireless communication systems and methods. Some embodiments also provide a wireless communication protocol for use with radio frequency networks where one or more remote devices can wireless communicate with a site controller and/or other remote devices.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication network having a site controller wirelessly coupled to a plurality of wireless remote devices is provided. A wireless communication system can comprise a first remote device wirelessly coupled to the site controller. The first remote device can be adapted to determine a communication path between the first remote device and the site controller. The communication path can be adapted to wirelessly couple the first remote device directly to the site controller, the first remote device to a second remote device, or the second remote device to the site controller.

The remote devices, such as the first remote device, according to some embodiments can also have additional features. For example, the first remote device can be further adapted to maintain a connection list identifying one or more of said plurality of remote devices and a success data score representative of successful and unsuccessful transmissions to remote devices. In addition, the first remote device can determine a communication path by selecting a second remote device from the connection list based at least partially on the success data score. Still yet, the first remote device can select the second remote device because the second remote device is associated with a favorable transmission successes score. The first remote device can also be adapted to select a second communication path when a transmission to the second remote device is unsuccessful.

Another feature according to some embodiments of the present invention includes that at least one of the first remote device and the second remote device can select a third remote device from the connection list. The selection can be based at least partially on an associated success data score maintained by the at least one of the first remote device and the second remote device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for communicating in a network is provided. The method can comprise selecting a wireless communication path between a first remote device and a site controller, and using a first remote device logic to select the wireless communication path. The wireless network can have a site controller and a plurality of remote devices. The plurality of remote devices each preferably having remote device logic, such as firmware or other stored instructions. The remote devices also preferably have a processor, a memory, and a transceiver.

The various embodiments of the present invention can also include additional method embodiments. For example, a method can comprise selecting a wireless communication path from a first remote device to a site controller wirelessly couples the first remote device directly to the site controller. In addition, selecting a wireless communication path from a first remote device to a site controller using a first remote device logic can comprise selecting a communication path from the first remote device to a second remote device, and selecting a communication path from the second remote device to a site controller. Another method embodiment can also include maintaining a connection list identifying one or more remote devices and a success data score representative of successful and unsuccessful transmissions to remote devices.

Methods according to the various embodiments of the present invention can also include additional features. For example, selecting a wireless communication path from a first remote device to a site controller using a first remote device logic can comprise selecting a second remote device from a connection list. In addition, a second remote device can be selected because it is associated with a favorable transmission success record. Another method embodiment further comprises determining that a transmission to the second remote device was unsuccessful, and selecting a third remote device from the connection list. Still yet another method embodiment comprises selecting a communication path from the third remote device to the site controller and/or selecting a communication path from the second remote device to the site controller.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program is provided. The computer program can determine a communication path between a plurality of remote devices and a site controller. The communication path can consist of none, one, or multiple remote devices. Each of the plurality of remote devices can be adapted to store and run the computer program. The computer program can comprise a first logic (instruction set) to select a wireless communication path from a first remote device of the plurality of remote devices to the site controller. The computer program can also comprise a second logic (instruction set). The second logic can be adapted to select a second remote device of the plurality of remote devices as part of the communication path from the first remote device to the site controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description explain the principles of the various embodiments of invention. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an ortho-normal plot of OOK modulation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a plurality of wireless networks for providing uninterrupted mobile access to a WAN in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram of a preface for use in a message in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A system for providing wireless access to a variety of devices is disclosed in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The system can comprise a gateway that is wirelessly coupled to a wide area network (“WAN”) so that the gateway provides first and last leg access to the WAN. As used herein, coupled can mean directly or indirectly coupled. The gateway translates information for transmission over the WAN into a predetermined WAN protocol and also translates information received from the wide area network into a predetermined wireless communication protocol. A user can wirelessly couple a portable device with a transceiver to the gateway according to the predetermined wireless communication protocol for maintaining wireless connection with the wide area network. Additionally, the system can be adapted to maintain communications between the wireless device and the wide area network while the wireless device is mobile.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1 a Transceiver/Site Controller 110 can communicate wirelessly with one or more remote devices 105, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145. Throughout this description, the various remote devices/repeaters 105, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135 may be referred to generically as remote device 115 or repeater 115. Each remote device 115 can include a transceiver adapted to communicate with the site controller 110. Additionally, one or more of the remote devices 115 can also be adapted to communicate with other remote devices 115. The multiple remote devices 115 are shown to illustrate that each remote device can be adapted to communicate directly with the site controller 110 and/or with other remote devices 115. Generally, if a remote device 115 is located remotely such that it is out of range of the site controller 110, it 115 will communicate through other remote devices 115 acting as repeaters 115.

Each remote device 115 can operate as both a remote device and as a repeater. When operating as a repeater, the device 115 receives and retransmits messages received from other remote devices 115. Each remote device 115 contains a logic unit for processing data, logic instructions, and implementing a communication protocol, and a memory for storing data and logic instructions. Accordingly, each remote device 115 can independently route messages without receiving instructions directly from a site controller 110. Such an arrangement promotes more efficient communications. In addition, each remote device 115 can monitor the success or failure of transmissions and determine a communication path for messages. For example, each remote device 115 can monitor one or more communication paths and assign a communication path a transmission rate (or score) representative of successful and unsuccessful transmissions. And based on the transmission rate (or score), a remote device 115 can determine an optimum communication path for data transmission.

Additionally, a remote device 115 can be adapted to only operate as a repeater or can be adapted such that is does not act as a repeater and is a non-repeating remote device. Further repeaters and remote devices can be used that only repeat or do not repeat transmissions.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication protocol is used, via a radio link (radio frequency (RF) transmissions) for example, between a transceiver/site controller 110 and various remote devices 115 which are designed to operate within a wireless network 100. Each remote device 115 preferably includes logic for implementing a communications protocol and for selecting a communications path from the remote device 115 to the site controller 110 or to another remote device 115. An exemplary communications protocol will be described, but those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative protocols, or variations of the disclosed protocol may be utilized consistent with the disclosures of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a remote device 115 is adapted to store transmission data associated with the success or failure of transmissions sent to other remote devices 115. This transmission data can be used to select a communications path between a remote device 115 and the site controller 110. Typically, a remote device 115 selects a path with a high transmission success rate. Generally, a high transmission success rate is not based on a predetermine rate, and can be selected by comparison with one or more success rates for alternative paths.

An exemplary protocol, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, can be used in a variety of environments, including, but not limited to, equipment utilized at sites where automatic data gathering/reporting and safety system features may be incorporated.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protocol includes, but is not limited to, a basic message structure, including preface and postscript, message content, error checking, addressing scheme, and message routing for devices operating within the network. Additionally, in some embodiments, the protocol can handle both “normal” and “emergency” traffic flow throughout the network. For example, emergency transmissions may receive a higher priority than normal transmissions.

An exemplary embodiment of the protocol provides an open-ended architecture protocol, with a non-standard Manchester bit encoding, which employs on/off keyed (“OOK”) modulation in the single-channel implementation. In another exemplary embodiment, each remote device in the system can be an intelligent NODE, which constructs a response to a particular command with “real time” data affecting that particular device at the time of the request. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a communication protocol is based on a seven layer network model. The protocol can include, but is not limited to, a physical layer, a data link layer, a network layer, a transport layer, a session layer, a presentation layer, and an application layer. The various layers of the communication protocol are discussed in turn below.

Layer 1—Physical Layer

The Physical Layer defines the RF communications hardware interface (radio) and electrical characteristics. This includes the RF carrier, modulation method, data bit encoding and packet framing.

Carrier Frequency

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the RF carrier used for single-channel operation has a nominal center frequency of 916.5 Mhz (+/−200 Khz).

Modulation Scheme

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protocol, in single-channel mode, employs on/off keyed (“OOK”) modulation which is a special case of amplitude shift keyed (“ASK”) modulation, where no carrier is present during the transmission of a zero. OOK modulation has the advantage of allowing the transmitter to be idle during the transmission of a “zero”, therefore conserving power.

FIG. 2 is a ortho-normal plot of OOK modulation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The ortho-normal plot may also be referred to as a signal diagram. FIG. 2 illustrates the additive noise 205, 215, around two signals 210, 220.

Data Bit Encoding

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protocol uses a modified Manchester encoding as the method of transmitting data bits. Preferably, the system operates at a basic data rate of 2400 bits/second (4800 transitions/second), which enables the receiver to easily synchronize with the sender. Additionally, the bits of each byte of the message are transmitted least significant bit first, most significant bit last.

Manchester encoding splits each bit period into two, and ensures that there is always a transition between the signal levels in the middle of each bit. This allows the receiver to synchronize with the sender. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative encoding schemes and transmission speeds may be used in place of the disclosed Manchester encoding scheme.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a typical transmission sequence in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a data transition occurs in the middle of each clock cycle. In Manchester Encoding, clock and data signals are encoded in a single synchronous bit stream. In this stream, each bit is represented by a transition. If the bit is a ‘0’, the transition is from high to low. If the bit is a ‘1’, the transition is from low to high. Thus, in a typical data stream, there will always be a transition at the center of a bit, while at the beginning of a bit there will only be a transition depending on the value of the previous bit. The encoding may be alternatively viewed as a phase encoding where each bit is encoded by a positive 90 degree phase transition, or a negative 90 degree phase transition. Manchester coding is therefore sometimes known as a bi-phase coding.

A Manchester encoded signal contains frequent level transitions, which allow the receiver to extract the clock signal reliably. The penalty for introducing frequent transitions, is that the Manchester coded signal consumes more bandwidth than the original signal (sequence of logic ones and zeros, or NRZ), but it still compares well with the bandwidth requirements of other encoding systems, such as pulse width modulation (“PWM”).

Packet Preamble and Postscript

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a message preamble (preface) and postscript (trailer) is used to obtain bit and byte synchronization and to frame the message. Accordingly, a device 115 transmitting a message begins the message with a preamble and follows the message with a postscript.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram of a preface for use in a message in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For single-channel operation, the preface can preferably be 24 logic ones followed by two bit times of a high voltage with no transition, with the first byte of the message following immediately. Alternatively, other prefaces can be used in accordance with the present invention.

The postscript can be the transition, if necessary, of the wireless device's transmit data line from a high voltage to a low voltage. Additionally, the transmit data line is preferably not left high after a message has been sent.

A receiving device 115 preferably decodes, at a minimum, the last four logic ones and the transitionless marker of the preface. If a receiver 115 is not able to decode bits of a preface, the message can be ignored.

Layer 2—Data Link Layer

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Data Link Layer defines how physical media is accessed by network devices 115, as well as verification of successful message delivery. This includes collision avoidance, error detection, message acknowledgement, and message retries.

Packet Collision Avoidance

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to avoid having multiple packets transmitted on a channel simultaneously. Accordingly, before attempting to transmit a message, a device 105 preferably first listens for any conflicting RF traffic on a transmission channel it intends to use. If traffic is detected on this channel, the device 115 preferably waits a random period of time (preferably up to 1 second) and then check the channel again for traffic. The device 105 can continue to monitor the transmission channel in this manner until no conflicting traffic is detected, at which time it can begin transmitting its message.

In the event that two or more devices 115 attempt to transmit on the same channel at the same time (collision), receiving devices 115 can recognize that the packet has been corrupted and ignore the message. This will result in a “negative acknowledge” condition, which will force the transmitting device 115 to resend the original message.

Error Detection

Devices 115 implementing the protocol can use a standard cyclic redundancy check, such as a CRC-16 calculation, to determine whether any errors are present in a received transmission. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with various error detection schemes and can use alternative schemes if desired.

Preferably, all the message bytes beginning with the “TO” Address and ending with the last data byte (or CMD Byte if no data is present) are included in the checksum. The Preface and Postscript (if any) are not generally included in the checksum. The transmitting device 105 can append the calculated checksum (16-bits for CRC-16) onto the end of the message. If a received packet or message fails a checksum test, it can be ignored by the receiving device, resulting in a “negative acknowledge” condition.

Message Acknowledgement

Upon receipt of a message, a receiving device 115 can acknowledge the message as received correctly (Positive) or not received correctly (Negative).

Positive Acknowledgement

A positive acknowledgement to any message shall be obtained in two manners according to some embodiments of the present invention: tacitly (implied) or actually. A tacit, or implied, positive acknowledgement for an RF transmitted message can be obtained whenever the retransmission (or repeat) of a message, by a next device, Remote Device/Repeater 120 in the communication chain, is detected by a transmitting (sending) device (remote device 125). This type of acknowledgement occurs during either a downstream operation (from the Transceiver/Site Controller 110 or a repeater 120, to a repeater 115) or during an up-stream operation (from a remote device 125 or repeater 120, to a repeater 115).

A transmitting device (110 or 125) preferably listens for a message to be repeated (retransmitted) by a next device 120 in the downstream or upstream path. The repeat transmission preferably occurs within a predetermined period. This predetermined period is generally a fixed time-out period established for a transmitting (sending) unit 110, 125. The transmitting remote device 125 can, upon hearing the repeat transmission, verify that the message number (Msg Num) of the message being repeated is identical to the message number (Msg Num) of the original message. A transmitting device 125 can also verify that the “FM” (From) address is the address to whom the message was transmitted. If the message numbers are the identical and the “From” address correct, a positive acknowledgement shall be implied.

Actual Acknowledgement

An actual positive acknowledgement is obtained whenever a response message is received, by either the Transceiver/Site Controller 110 or a repeater 120, from a remote device 125 (or repeater). This type of acknowledgement generally occurs during downstream repeat message processing (from the Transceiver/Site Controller 110 or repeater 120 to a remote device 125). The response message, an upstream repeat message, can contain the requested data (or status) supplied in response to the command contained in the original downstream repeat message.

Additionally, when the Transceiver/Site Controller 110 or repeating device 120 receives a message directly from a repeater 120 or a device 125, it can transmit an “0x01” (Positive Acknowledge) command message. This command message can be used to acknowledge receipt of the message.

Negative Acknowledgement

A negative acknowledgement can occur whenever a “Downstream Repeat” or an “Upstream Repeat” message is not positively acknowledged. During a downstream repeat operation, the Transceiver/Site Controller 110, or Repeater 120 (or device 120 that also functions as a Repeater 120), can attempt an original transmission and variable number of retries to the downstream addressed (target) device.

If the downstream repeat message is not positively acknowledged, either tacitly or actually, after all the transmission attempts, the sending repeater 115 can transmit a Negative Acknowledge message upstream to the unit (Transceiver/Site Controller 110 or Repeater 115) that sent it the downstream repeat message. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Negative Acknowledge command can be signified by transmitting “0x02” in the data field of a message. The Negative Acknowledge message preferably increments the message number (Msg Num) contained in the original downstream repeat message, and return the six-byte address of the non-acknowledging device plus the six-byte address of the previous device. A Negative Acknowledgement can then be returned, in normal Repeater manner, to the Site Controller 110, which originated the message.

In the case of an upstream repeat operation, a remote device 115 (or repeater 115) preferably attempts an original transmission and variable number of retries to its highest priority upstream address. If the message is not acknowledged, the remote device 115 (or repeater 115) can then attempt the same for its next highest priority upstream address. If the message is still not acknowledged, and there are no more valid upstream addresses, then a negative acknowledgement condition exists. For a remote device 115, a negative acknowledgement can be treated as a downstream repeat negative acknowledgement.

In the case of a repeater 115, this negative acknowledgement can result in the downstream (sending) unit 120 attempting message transmission using its next highest priority upstream address.

Message Time-outs and Retries

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to avoid waiting for an acknowledgement message for an extended period of time. Accordingly, the disclosed protocol provides for a time-out period and a device 115 can retry a message if it does not receive an acknowledgement prior to the end of the time-out period. Preferably, a variable time-out of 1 second+250 milliseconds will result in a “negatively acknowledged” transmission attempt if the device 115 does not hear the preamble of the command message being retransmitted by the next repeater 115 in the path of either a downstream or an upstream repeat operation. Or if the device 115 is programmed to also function as a repeater 115, the device 115 can receive the preamble of a requested response message from a downstream target device 115 if no other repeaters exist in the path.

The time-out is preferably reset (begins again) and has a value of one (1) second if another unit seizes the channel before a positive acknowledgement can be received. The protocol can also be configured for a random time-out duration to be generated by a transmitting device 115. When a device does not receive a “positive acknowledgement” before the expiration of the time-out period, it can attempt retransmission (retries) of a message.

Downstream Retries

For downstream operations, a device 115 (that is programmed to also function as a repeater 115) can attempt an original transmission and a variable or predetermined number of retries to the addressed device (or repeater). If the message is not acknowledged after these attempts, the device 115 can generate a “Negative Acknowledge (0x02)” Command Message that is sent back to the site controller 110.

Upstream Retries

For Upstream Repeat operations, a device 115 can attempt an original transmission and a variable or predetermined number of retries to its highest priority upstream address (for example, remote device 120). If these transmission attempts fail, the device 115 then attempts another transmission with the specified number of retries to its next highest priority upstream address (for example, remote device 130). Transmission attempts continue in this manner until all upstream addresses have been exhausted. If a device 115 functions only as a non-repeating node, and the transmission is still not acknowledged, it can abort the current operation and reset its upstream retry counter.

If a device 115 is programmed to also function as a Repeater 115, and all its upstream addresses fail to acknowledge the message transmission, the result is treated as a “negatively acknowledged” upstream repeat operation.

Each remote device 115 preferably maintains two (2) retry counters. The remote devices 115 may also have one or additional counters. The first retry counter is preferably a four-bit counter that counts the number of retries for the current downstream operation. This counter is generally used only if a device 115 is programmed to also function as a repeater. The second retry counter is preferably a four-bit counter that counts the number of retries for the current upstream operation. Both counters can be reset after they have been reported and acknowledged.

Layer 3—Network Layer

The Network Layer defines an exemplary method for sequencing and routing messages from one network device 115 to another. An exemplary message header format includes, as discussed below, source and destination device addresses and a message sequence number. A method for upstream and downstream message routing is also discussed below.

Message Header Formatting

Table 1, below, shows an exemplary message structure for use with a protocol embodiment of the present invention.

TABLE 1 Packet Format “TO” “FM” Pkt Pkt Pkt Msg Link Cmd Addr Addr Num Max Len Num CMD Num Ext Data CKSum (1-6) (6) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (0-239) (2)

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the order of the message elements remains fixed, but the byte position number in each packet may vary due to the scalability of the “TO” address (1-6 bytes) and the scalability of the Data Frame (0 to 239 bytes). A brief description of each of the message fields follows. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the size of each field can be modified if desired, provided each device communicating in accordance with the protocol is aware of such modifications.

“TO” Addr—Destination Address

The “TO” Address field (00-FF) is used to identify a particular device 115 and typically provides the Full “ID” or address of a device 115 receiving the transmission (1 to 6 Bytes). The “TO” address field can contain the address of a recipient device 115 when a request for data is sent by the site controller 110. The “TO” field can contain the address of the site controller 110 when a response to a request for data is returned by a device 115 to the site controller 110. This can also be a broadcast address when a message is sent to multiple devices 115 by another network device 115.

“FM” Addr—Source Address

The “FM” Address (00-FF) is used to identify a device 115 transmitting a message. The “FM” Address field can contain the full “ID” or address of a device 115 originating the transmission (6 Bytes). This address field can contain the address of the site controller 110 when a request for data is sent to a device 115 and it can contain the address of a remote device 115 when a response to a request for data is sent to the site controller 110.

Pkt No—Packet Number

The Packet Number (00-FF) is used when a message is too large to be sent in a single packet. Thus, if the total message is longer than the max packet length, multiple packets are used and each packet in the message is labeled with a packet number.

Pkt Max—Packet Maximum

The Pkt Max field (00-FF) indicates the total number of packets in a message when a message is too large to fit in a single packet.

Pkt Len—Packet Length

The Packet Length field (10-FF) identifies the length (in bytes) of a packet transmission, including the CRC. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the minimum length is 16 bytes, and the maximum length is 255 bytes.

Msg Num—Message Number

The Message Number field (00-FF) provides a message identifier number. The Message Number is assigned by the originator of each message. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, messages originating from the site controller 110 (downstream) contain even message numbers and responses to the site controller 110 (upstream) will be the originating message number plus one (odd). Typically, the message number is incremented (by two) by the site controller 110 each time it sends a message.

CMD—Command

The Command field (00-FF) identifies a command operation to be performed by the recipient device 115.

Link Num—Link Number

The Link Number field (00-FF) represents a dynamic link number associated with each network device 115 when a packet is transmitted.

Cmd Ext—Command Extension

The Command Extension field (00-FF) preserves message space for additional commands, that are not presently provided by the system.

Data

The Data field (00-FF) holds data as required by a specific command. Data may be any value. If test data is sent, that data can generally be encoded in ASCII.

CkSum—Checksum

The CkSum field (0000-FFFF) holds a Packet Checksum, preferably sent high (most significant) byte first, for detecting transmission errors.

TO and FROM Device Addressing

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each device 115 is programmed with a unique identifier (address). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, this is a 48-bit identifier number. This identifier is used in routing network messages from the source device 115 to the destination device 115. A network device 115 can recognize that it is the intended recipient of a received message by comparing its identifier (address) to the destination address in the message header.

Broadcast messaging can also be supported by supplying special broadcast address identifiers in place of the unique 48-bit destination address when transmitting a message. The broadcast identifier may typically be 1 or 6 bytes in length. Broadcast messages do not generally require a response from the receiving device(s) 115.

Device Address Byte Assignment

Table 2, below, shows how address bytes can be assigned in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first byte of an address may not be 0xFn or 0x00.

TABLE 2 Byte 1 - Device Type Base (MSB) (2) F0-F1 Broadcast to all devices (1-byte broadcast address) (2) F2-F3 Broadcast to specific devices (6-byte broadcast address) (11) F4-FE Reserved (1) FF Broadcast to a single device (6-byte broadcast address) (239) 01-EF 6 Byte Device Address (Device Type Base) (1) 00 Reserved Byte 2 - Network System ID (High Byte) (1) FF Reserved (255) 00-FE Network System Identifier Byte 3 - Network System ID (Low Byte) (256) 00-FF Network System Identifier Byte 4 - Extension (256) 00-FF Extension of Device Identification Byte 5 - Extension (256) 00-FF Extension of Device Identification Byte 6 - Extension (256) 00-FF Extension of Device Identification

The Network System ID bytes can be used to associate each device 115 with a particular network or networks. Typically, each device 115 will only recognize communications from other devices 115 whose System ID matches its own. This prevents interference from other independent networks operating within the same general vicinity. However, a device 115 may also be configured to accept communications from a group of one or more System ID's other than its own, or from all System ID's. This feature allows each network 100 to be configured as either a “closed” system (which ignores all devices 115 outside of its network) or an “open” system (which allows communication with devices outside of its network 100).

Broadcast Messaging

Broadcast messaging can be used to send a message to more than one destination device 115 at a time, or to a single device 115 of unknown location. Any network device 115 may broadcast a message for various purposes such as time synchronization, network-detection, device location, etc. Broadcast messages are not typically acknowledged by receiving devices 115. Exemplary identifiers used to broadcast a message are described below. Alternatively, the system can use other identifiers for desired broadcast messages.

(0xF0)—single-byte “TO” address: Used to broadcast a message to all devices 115 within direct communication range of an originating device 115.

(0xF1)—single-byte “TO” address: Used to broadcast a system-wide message to all devices 115 within the same network 100.

(0xF2)—six-byte “TO” address: Used to broadcast a message to specified device types within direct communication range of the originating device 115. An exemplary address format is defined below:

-   -   (0xF2)—broadcast identifier     -   (0xtt)—device type (0xFF=all device types, ignore following         bytes)     -   (0xss)—device sub-type (0xFF=all sub-types, ignore following         bytes)     -   (0xvv)—firmware major version number (0xFF=all firmware         versions)     -   (0xxx)—firmware minor version number (0xFF=all minor versions)     -   (0xFF)—not currently used (set to 0xFF)

(0xF3)—six-byte “TO” address: The same as “0xF2” above, except broadcasts a system-wide message to all devices 115 within the same network 100.

(0xFF)—six-byte “TO” address, plus one-byte data: Used to broadcast a system-wide message to a single device 115 within the network 100. An exemplary address format is defined below:

-   -   (0xFF)—broadcast identifier     -   (0xa1)—destination device address, byte 2     -   (0xa2)—destination device address, byte 3     -   (0xa3)—destination device address, byte 4     -   (0xa4)—destination device address, byte 5     -   (0xa5)—destination device address, byte 6

The first byte in the data section of the packet can contain the first byte of the destination device “TO” address (0xa0).

Message Sequencing

Application data is typically moved between network devices 115 and the site controller 110 in two ways: polled or interrupt-driven communications. A polled system is normally used to retrieve “on-demand” data from network devices 115, where an interrupt-driven system can retrieve pre-scheduled data from network devices 115 at regular intervals. A network 100 may be entirely polled, entirely interrupt-driven, or it may use a combination of polled and interrupt-driven communications.

In a polled system, the site controller 110 typically initiates all regular communications with devices 115 in its network 100, thus acting as network communications master. Network devices 115 can respond to commands issued in the site controller's 110 messages. The Site Controller 110 can receive a response (either a positive acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement) to any message (except a Broadcast message) it sends to a network device 115.

In an interrupt-driven system, network devices 115 may initiate unsolicited messages to the site controller 110 either at pre-determined time intervals, or as the result of a specific event occurring at the device 115. Traffic of this type may include network-detection messages, emergency or alarm messages, and status reporting messages from low-power devices 115.

To maintain an orderly flow of network traffic within the system, a 1-byte sequence number can be assigned to each message issued by the site controller 110. Downstream messages originating from the site controller 110 can be assigned even numbers. Upstream responses to the site controller 110 typically the incoming message number plus one (odd). The message number is generally incremented (by two) by the site controller 110 each time it sends a message. In systems where a network device 115 sends an unsolicited message to the site controller 110 (network-detection messages, emergency traffic, etc.), the device 115 assigns an odd sequence number to the message, based on a random number generated internally by the device 115.

Message Routing

To deliver messages between the site controller 110 and any other device 115 in the network, a method of routing network traffic can be defined for both downstream (site controller 110 to device 115) and upstream (device to site controller 110) messages.

Downstream Message Routing

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the site controller 110 builds a downstream message in one of two ways. If a destination device 115 is within direct communication range of the site controller 110, then the message is addressed directly to that device 115 (its address is used as the message “TO” address). If the destination device 115 is not within direct communication range of the site controller 110, however, then the site controller 110 can build a “Downstream Repeat” message (command 0x03). This message contains a list of 1-byte indexes which correspond to entries in the downstream address tables of repeating devices 115 that will be forwarding the message. This routing information can be used by each repeating device 115 in the chain to know how to forward the message. The last address in the chain can be a device 115 for which the original message was intended.

When a network device 115 also functions as a repeater, a dynamic Index Table of up to fourteen (14) downstream addresses can be maintained in the device's 115 non-volatile memory. These addresses are utilized during downstream repeat operations, and represent select devices 115 within communications range, which are located downstream of the current device 115. A single-byte index is specified in the downstream message to select one of the addresses from the table to use in forwarding the message to the next device 115.

Additionally, the site controller 110 may use the “0xFF” system-wide broadcast message to transmit a message downstream to a network device 115 of unknown location. This message can be forwarded throughout the entire network 100 until the destination device 115 is reached. The destination device 115 can then respond to the command contained in the broadcast message in the normal upstream manner.

Upstream Message Routing

Network devices 115 can respond to command messages (except Broadcast messages) by directly addressing the device 115 from which it received the command (swap message “TO” and “FROM” addresses). A repeating device 115, which receives an upstream response message (not “Upstream Repeat” command), can build an “Upstream Repeat” message (command 0x04), and forward this message to one of its dynamic upstream addresses. A repeating device 115, which receives an “Emergency Message” command (0xFF), can build an “Emergency Upstream Repeat” message (command 0x44), and forward this message to one of its upstream addresses. It is generally desirable to give upstream emergency traffic (command 0xFF or 0x44) priority over all other network traffic (see “Emergency Messaging”).

When a network device 115 also functions as a repeater, up to sixteen (16) dynamic upstream addresses can be maintained in the device's non-volatile memory. These addresses are utilized to transmit messages in response to commands issued by the site controller, or to repeat (retransmit) normal upstream repeat messages. The addresses in the table are prioritized such that the highest priority upstream address can be used first. In the event that the message transmission to the highest priority address is not successful (negative acknowledge), the transmission can then be retried to the next highest priority upstream address. The transmission attempts will continue in this manner until either the message is acknowledged, or all upstream addresses have been tried.

Layer 4—Transport Layer

The Transport Layer defines how the application data is packetized and sequenced, such that all the requested data can be delivered successfully to a target device 115.

Message Data Section Formatting

A data payload transported by a single network message can be placed in a data section of the packet. Generally, message data can be placed immediately after a message header. The length of the data section can vary from 0-239 bytes, depending on the message header format and data payload. The message checksum immediately follows the data section. Application data that is less than or equal to the maximum data size can be transported in a single message. For data that is greater than the maximum data size, multiple packet transmissions can be utilized.

Multi-Packet Processing

For application data payloads that cannot be transported in a single message packet, multiple packet transmissions can be utilized. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first packet in a multi-packet session can contain a “Packet Number” value equal to “0x01” and a “Packet Maximum” value equal to the total number of packets needed to transport all of the application data. Subsequent packets preferably increment the “Packet Number” value, with the last packet in a multi-packet session having the “Packet Number” and “Packet Maximum” values equal.

A receiving device 115 can identify the start of a multi-packet session, by noting that the “Packet Number” and “Packet Maximum” values are not equal (a single-packet transmission will have both values equal to “0x01”). A receiving device 115 can acknowledge each packet in a multi-packet session, and can identify the last packet in a session by noting that the “Packet Number” and “Packet Maximum” values are equal. An originating device 115 can be adapted to resend any packets which are not positively acknowledged by the receiving device 115.

Layer 5—Session Layer

As those skilled in the art will understand, a session layer is sometimes not implemented or used in a communications protocol. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention, a session layer is not used, while in other embodiments, a session layer is utilized. When utilized, a session layer preferably responds to service requests from the presentation layer and issues service requests to the transport layer.

A session layer provides a mechanism for managing dialogue between devices 115 and/or between the site controller 110 and one or more devices utilizing application processes. Indeed, the session layer provides for either duplex or half-duplex operation and can establish checkpointing, adjournment, termination, and restart procedures. The session layer can allow information on different streams, perhaps originating from different sources, to be properly combined. Thus in embodiments of the present invention where synchronization features are desired to ensure that the site controller 110 and devices 115 do not encounter inconsistent message and data transmissions, the session layer can be utilized.

Layer 6—Presentation Layer

As those skilled in the art will understand, a presentation layer is sometimes not implemented or used in a communications protocol. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention, a presentation layer is not used, while in other embodiments, a session layer is utilized. When utilized, a presentation layer responds to service requests from the application layer and issues service requests to the session layer.

A presentation layer can be tasked with the delivery and formatting of information to the application layer for further processing or display. The presentation layer can relieve the application layer of concern regarding syntactical differences in data representation within the end-user systems.

Layer 7—Application Layer

The Application Layer can define command formats and functionality incorporated into each network device 115. Exemplary commands and functions which are non device-specific, and generally supported by all network devices 115 are discussed below. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous other commands may be used and implemented in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention.

Command Structure

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, command byte codes are assigned and are used for devices 115 requiring those functions. Not all devices 115 support all, or possibly any, of the codes listed below. These codes are provides for example only, and are not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present invention. Further, the command descriptions are provided as exemplary descriptions for exemplary commands are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Ping Command (0x00)

Sent by the site controller 110 to any network device 115 to solicit a ping response. A receiving device 115 echoes back the original message. The ping command is used to test a communications path between any two devices in the network 100. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a data payload does need to be sent with a ping command required.

Positive Acknowledgement (0x01)

A positive acknowledgement command can be sent from one network device 115 to another to acknowledge receipt of a message. The positive acknowledgement command enables devices to acknowledgement receipt of a transmission from a sending device. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a data payload does need to be sent with a positive acknowledgement command.

Negative Acknowledgement (0x02)

A negative acknowledgement command can be sent in an upstream message by the site controller 110 or by a repeating network device 115 whenever a downstream repeat message is not acknowledged by the addressed device 115. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a data payload does need to be sent with a negative acknowledgement command.

Downstream Repeat (0x03)

A downstream repeat command can be sent by the site controller 110 to any network device 115. The downstream repeat command can be used when a message is being sent to a network device 115 that is not within direct communication range of the site controller 110. Addressing information (repeater table indexes) is provided to route the message to a target device 115. The data area of the packet can be formatted as follows:

-   -   (nn)—downstream link count (1 byte)     -   (tt . . . )—list of repeater table indexes (nn bytes)     -   (aaaaaaaaaaaa)—destination address (6 bytes)     -   (cc)—destination command (1 byte)     -   (dd . . . )—destination data (variable length)

If the link count is not zero, then a repeating network device 115, which receives this command, can decrement the link count (nn) and remove the first byte in the list of table indexes (tt . . . ). The device 115 can then use the table index byte to obtain the new “TO” address by indexing into its Repeater Address Table.

If the link count equals zero, then a device 115 can remove the link count byte (nn) and use the 6-byte destination address (aaaaaaaaaaaa) as the new “TO” address. The command byte (CMD) can be replaced with the destination command (cc), and both the destination address (aaaaaaaaaaaa) and destination command (cc) can be removed from the message. This leaves the original message header and destination data (dd . . . ), which can be forwarded to a destination device 115.

Upstream Repeat (0x04)

An upstream repeat command can be sent by a repeating device 115 to the site controller 110 or to another repeating device 115. The upstream repeat command can be used to forward a response message upstream to the site controller 110. The data area of the packet can be formatted as follows:

-   -   (nn)—upstream link count (1 byte)     -   (tt . . . )—list of repeater table indexes (nn bytes)     -   (cc)—original message command (1 byte)     -   (ss)—originating link signal strength (1 byte)     -   (aaaaaaaaaaaa)—original message “TO” address (6 bytes)     -   (bbbbbbbbbbbb)—original message “FROM” address (6 bytes)     -   (dd . . . )—original message data (variable length)

When a repeating network device 115 receives a standard response message (other than “Upstream Repeat” command), it can forward the message to its highest priority upstream address by creating an “Upstream Repeat” command (0x04) message. The repeating device 115 can first place the original message command byte (CMD) in the (cc) field, and set a new message command byte to “0x04”. The repeating device 115 can then set the link count byte (nn) to “0x00”, place the 6-byte “TO” address of the original message in the address field (aaaaaaaaaaaa) and place the 6-byte “FROM” address of the original message in the address field (bbbbbbbbbbbb). The link signal strength byte can be placed in the (ss) field (if not supported, a “0x00” byte can be used). The original message data can be placed in the variable-length data section (dd . . . ).

As each subsequent network device 115 forwards the message upstream, it can increment the link count (nn) and add its 1-byte downstream table index to the beginning of the repeater table index list (tt . . . ).

Read Status (0x10)

A read status command can be sent by the site controller 110 to a network device 115. The read status command can be used to retrieve current status information from a device 115. The status information can be returned in the data area of a response packet, and can be unique to each device 115.

Data Transport (0x20)

A data transport command can be used to move application-specific data from one network device 115 to another. A user-defined application data message can be placed in the data area of a packet and can be any length as long as the maximum packet size is not exceeded. A receiving device 115 can send a response packet, which may contain any user-defined application data that can to be returned to an originating device 115.

Load Repeater Table Addresses (0x40)

A load repeater table address can be sent by the site controller 110 to a repeating network device 115. The load repeater table address command is used to load device addresses into a dynamic Repeater Table. From 1 to 16 addresses can be loaded by specifying the number of addresses to load and the starting table index. The data area of a packet can be formatted as follows:

-   -   (nn)—number of table addresses (1 byte, value=1-16)     -   (aa)—start table index (1 byte, value=0-15)     -   (dd . . . )—table address data (6-96 bytes)         Emergency Message Upstream Repeat (0x44)

The emergency message upstream repeat command can be sent by a repeating device 115 to the site controller 110 or to another repeating device 115. The emergency message upstream repeat command can be used to forward an emergency message upstream to the site controller 110. Emergency upstream traffic is generally given priority over standard (or normal) upstream traffic, and repeating network devices 115 will preferably continue to transmit the message until it is acknowledged to ensure receipt. Also, any repeating network device 115 which is currently processing emergency upstream traffic preferably ignores other network traffic until the emergency message is processed. Except for the command byte (CMD), the message format and procedure can be the same as the “Upstream Repeat” command (0x04).

General Data Request (0x55)

A general data request command can be sent by the site controller 110 to a network device 115. This command can be used to request eighteen (18) bytes of general data from a device 115. The general data can include the following information:

-   -   (vvvv)—firmware version number (2 bytes)     -   (pppp)—number of power failures (2 bytes)     -   (rrrr)—number of device resets (2 bytes)     -   (aaaaaaaaaaaa)—first dynamic repeater table address (6 bytes)     -   (bbbbbbbbbbbb)—second dynamic repeater table address (6 bytes)

A receiving device 115 can send a response packet with the 18 bytes of general data in the data area.

Device Sleep (0x60)

A device sleep command can be sent by the site controller 110 to place a device into power-down or “sleep” mode, to conserve power in low-power or battery-powered devices. The device 115 can remain in “sleep” mode for the number of minutes specified by the 2-byte “time to sleep” parameter, which can be placed in the data area of the packet as follows:

-   -   (nnnn)—number of minutes (0-65535)

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the devices 115 can also utilize and implement a time-out feature. This feature can automatically place a device 115 in “sleep” mode if this command is not received within a pre-defined period of time.

Device Install (0x80)

A device install command can be sent by a network device 115 to the site controller 110. This command can be used to notify the site controller 110 that a device 115 is attempting to either install itself into the network 100 for the first time, or re-establish communication with neighboring devices 115. A network device 115 can send the device command packet to the site controller 110 after building its dynamic repeater table of neighboring devices 115.

Device Test (0x90)

A device test command can be provided for device functional testing during manufacturing. While it can be used for other purposes, it is preferably generally not used for other purposes.

Load Device Firmware (0xA0)

A load device firmware command can be sent by the site controller 110 to a network device 115. This command is used to download a new firmware image, updated firmware image, or existing firmware image to a network device 115. The data area of the packet can be formatted as follows:

-   -   (nn)—length of data block (1 byte)     -   (aaaa)—data block start offset (2 bytes)     -   (dd . . . )—firmware image data (1-236 bytes)

The firmware binary image can be segmented into blocks and sent to a target device 115 using multiple packets.

Reserved Commands (0xE0-0xEF)

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, reserved commands are reserved and are preferably not used in communicating with a network device 115 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Emergency Message (0xFF)

Sent by a network device to the site controller 110. This command is used by a network device 115 to report an emergency condition to the site controller 110. Repeating devices 115 which receive this command can forward the message using the “Emergency Message Upstream Repeat” command (0x44). The data area of the packet can contain status information regarding the nature of the emergency condition, which can be unique to each device type.

Emergency Messaging

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system can handle both “normal” and “emergency” traffic flow throughout the network 100. Emergency message traffic can be identified as being either an “Emergency Message” command (0xFF), or an “Emergency Message Upstream Repeat” command (0x44). A network device 115 adapted to send an emergency message to the site controller 110, can use the “Emergency Message” command (0xFF). A device 115 functioning as a repeater, which receives an emergency message (0xFF), preferably changes the command byte (CMD) from “0xFF” to “0x44” to indicate an “Emergency Message Upstream Repeat” command. It can then retransmit (relay) the message upstream to the site controller 110 in the normal Upstream Repeat manner.

Network devices 115 generally process both “emergency” and “normal” messages in a similar manner provided there is enough system bandwidth to handle all message traffic flow. In the event that system bandwidth becomes limited and a conflict in traffic flow exists, however, emergency message traffic can be given priority over normal traffic. This means that a device 115 that is currently processing an emergency message (command “0xFF” or “0x44”) can ignore other message traffic until it has completed processing the emergency message.

Similarly, a device 115 which is currently processing a normal message (other than command “0xFF” or “0x44”) and receives an emergency message, can terminate its normal message processing and process the emergency traffic instead. Such actions assure that the emergency traffic will be forwarded to the site controller 110 as quickly as possible.

Automatic Network Detection (AND)

The Automatic Network Detection (AND) feature can be used by devices 115 to automatically install themselves into an existing network 100, or to re-establish communication with a non-responding network node. Typically, most devices 115 are programmed during manufacturing such that their dynamic Repeater Table contains no valid addresses, forcing the devices 115 into “AND” mode. A device 115 can also enter “AND” mode any time it loses communication with one or more neighboring network devices 115. A device 115 can exit “AND” mode and can become an active node when its dynamic Repeater Table contains one or more valid device addresses.

Once a device 115 enters “AND” mode, it can broadcast a network-detection beacon to neighboring devices at approximately 5-minute intervals. A device 115 which hears this beacon and is already an active network node (its Repeater Table contains at least one valid device address), can broadcast a response beacon. The originating device 115 listens for these response beacons, and builds its dynamic Repeater Table using the addresses of its neighboring devices, up to a maximum of 16 devices. After a beaconing cycle has completed, the network device 115 sends a Device Install command “0x80” to the site controller 110. If no devices 115 respond to a network-detection beacon, then an originating device 115 can continue to broadcast a beacon at 5-minute intervals until at least one response is received. A network device 115 can also be forced into “AND” mode at any time by clearing its dynamic Repeater Table using command “0x40”.

Upgrading Device Firmware

Some embodiments of the present invention can also upgrade device 115 firmware. Typically, devices 115 are programmed during manufacturing with an initial firmware image which controls device operation. The program memory (code space) within each device 115 is segmented such that half of the available memory is used to hold the current firmware image, and the other half is left as unused code space. When a new firmware image is downloaded to a network device 115, it is placed in the unused code space, and the original firmware image is typically erased.

First, a binary image file for the new firmware can be created. The image file can have a special header at the start-of-file, and can have a 16-bit checksum appended to the end-of-file. The image can be split into multiple data blocks and transferred to the destination device using the “Load Device Firmware” command (0xA0). Each data block is sent with a block header which specifies the block size and the relative offset from the start of the image (first block has offset=0). A destination device 115 can rebuild the new firmware image in its unused code space by writing the data blocks into the appropriate offsets in memory. After a destination device 115 receives the last image data block, it can then verify the integrity of the new image by calculating a 16-bit checksum (CRC) and comparing the result to the checksum that was sent with the image (last 2 bytes). If the checksum matches, then a device 115 transfers control to the new firmware image. If the checksum does not match, then no action is taken and the transmitted image can be resent. Once new firmware is executed on a destination device 115, the original firmware image is erased and that memory becomes unused code space. The erase memory will then be used to build the next firmware image that is downloaded.

The site controller 110 can confirm that new firmware image has been loaded successfully by verifying the firmware version number on a destination device 115 using a “General Data Request” command (0x55). If the version number that is returned does not match the version number of the new image file, then a firmware image can be resent.

New firmware can be downloaded directly to a single destination device 115 by specifying the destination device address, or it can be broadcast to a group of devices 115 by using one of the methods of message broadcasting. If the firmware image is downloaded using a broadcast method, there is no acknowledgement at the individual packet level, and the entire image can be sent before a successful transfer can be verified.

The embodiments discussed herein are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled. 

I claim:
 1. In a wireless communication network, a system comprising: a site controller; a plurality of remote devices wirelessly coupled to the site controller, each remote device in the plurality of remote devices enabled to perform a communication protocol to identify a communication path when making a transmission, the communication path from the remote device to at least one of the site controller or another remote device of the plurality of remote devices, the communication protocol enabled to: (i) monitor successful and unsuccessful transmissions from the remote device to one or more of the plurality of remote devices as the plurality of remote devices communicate with other remote devices in the network; (ii) maintain a connection list identifying one or more of the plurality of remote devices and a success data score representative of successful and unsuccessful transmissions to the one or more of the plurality of remote devices; (iii) select a communication path from the connection list through which to make a communication from the remote device to the at least one of another remote device or the site controller based on the success data score, and (iv) address a data packet between the remote device and the at least one of another remote device or the site controller, the data packet comprising identification information of the remote device and the at least one of another remote device or the site controller, the data packet further comprising a data link layer, the data link layer comprising data to assist with packet collision avoidance and error detection, wherein the plurality of remote devices are further enabled to perform an automatic network detection protocol, the automatic network detection protocol comprising listening for a signal from a new remote device in a predetermined time interval and responding to the signal to register the new remote device with the wireless communication network.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of remote devices is located out of range from the site controller.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of remote devices is configured to operate as a repeater such that the at least one remote device is enabled to receive a data packet and retransmit the data packet.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected communication path is associated with a favorable success data score.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication protocol is enabled to discriminate between data packets associated with normal transmissions and emergency transmissions and prioritize data packets associated with emergency transmissions.
 6. In a wireless communication network having a site controller wirelessly coupled to a plurality of remote devices, a system comprising: a first remote device of the plurality of remote devices, the first remote device enabled to perform a communication protocol to determine a first communication path between the first remote device and at least one of a second remote device or the site controller, the communication protocol enabled to: (i) monitor successful and unsuccessful transmissions from the first remote device to one or more of the plurality of remote devices as the first remote device communicates with the plurality of remote devices in the network; (ii) maintain a connection list identifying one or more of the plurality of remote devices and a success data score representative of successful and unsuccessful transmissions to the plurality of remote devices, (iii) select a wireless communication path from the connection list through which the first remote device can make a transmission to the at least one of a second remote device or the site controller based on the success data score from the first remote device to the at least one of a second remote device or the site controller, and (iv) address a data packet between the first remote device and the at least one of a second remote device or the site controller, the data packet comprising identification information of the first remote device and the at least one of a second remote device or the site controller, the data packet further comprising a data link layer, the data link layer comprising data to assist with packet collision avoidance and error detection, wherein the first remote device is further enabled to perform an automatic network detection protocol, the automatic network detection protocol comprising listening for a signal from a new remote device in a predetermined time interval and responding to the signal to register the new remote device with the wireless communication network.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the communication path is to the second remote device and the second remote device is selected because it is associated with a favorable success data score.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the communication path is to the second remote device and the second remote device is enabled to perform the communication protocol to determine a second communication path.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second communication path is configured to wirelessly couple the second remote device to at least one of the site controller and a third remote device.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the first remote device is configured to address a data packet to the second remote device, the data packet comprising identification information of the first remote device and the second remote device.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the second remote device is downstream from the first remote device.
 12. A remote device comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a site controller; a first logic unit configured to implement a communication protocol, the communication protocol comprising stored instructions for selecting a wireless communication path between the remote device and at least one of a second remote device in a plurality of remote devices or the site controller in a wireless communication network, the communication protocol enabled to: (i) monitor successful and unsuccessful transmissions from the remote device to the at least one of a second remote device in a plurality of remote devices or a site controller as the remote device communicates with the plurality of remote devices in the network; and (ii) maintain a connection list identifying one or more of said plurality of remote devices and a success data score representative of successful and unsuccessful transmissions from the remote device to the at least one of a second remote device in a plurality of remote devices or a site controller; a memory for storing the connection list; and a second logic unit configured to implement a network detection protocol, the network detection protocol comprising stored instructions for adding an address of a new remote device into a table for identifying neighboring devices of the remote device, the network detection protocol enabled to: (i) listen for a signal from the new remote device in a predetermined time interval; (ii) respond to the signal from the new remote device, and (iii) register the new remote device on the table for identifying neighboring devices of the remote device.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the communication path is to the second remote device and the second remote device is selected because it is associated with a favorable success data score.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the communication path comprises the second remote device and the second remote device is enabled to perform the communication protocol to determine a second wireless communication path.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second wireless communication path is configured to wirelessly couple the second remote device to at least one of the site controller and a third remote device.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the remote device is configured to address a data packet to the second remote device, the data packet comprising identification information of the remote device and the second remote device.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the second remote device is downstream from the first remote device.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed, identify one of the first wireless communication path and a second wireless communication path on which to make a transmission.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first wireless communication path and the second wireless communication path comprises a success data score corresponding to a successful wireless communication pathway.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first wireless communication path and the second wireless communication path comprises a success data score corresponding to an unsuccessful wireless communication pathway. 